Berlin Pride attack: what went wrong? | DW News

From the creator

Abdul Ballout was already known to the authorities. He had tried to join the so-called Islamic State group, been convicted and classified as a security threat. Ten weeks after his sentencing, he carried out the deadly Islamist attack on Berlin Pride. So why was he free — and could the attack have been prevented? Through exclusive interviews, this film retraces Ballout’s path through Germany’s courts, police, intelligence services and prevention programs. It explains why youth law was applied, what authorities knew about him, and what happened after his release. We examine what surveillance, electronic ankle monitors and deradicalization programs can realistically achieve — and where the limits of Germany’s justice and security system lie. Could authorities have done more, or are there limits to what a democracy can do before someone commits another crime? #dwgermanpolitics #csdberlin #berlinpride 00:00 Deadly attack on Berlin Pride 01:35 How radicalization starts 04:20 Abdul Ballout's criminal record 06:55 Was Berlin's criminal court too lenient? 08:47 Why did Ballout leave custody after the verdict? 10:45 A police camera recorded Ballout before the attack 11:14 Would tougher laws have helped? 13:47 Counseling vs. counterterrorism 14:29 Who can notice radicalization? For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deu

Published 2026-08-15 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Availability and playback restrictions are controlled by the original channel.